The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1887-01-06
WORKING WOMEN.
Biseouraging Words for Those Who Are
Anxious for Employment in
Washington.

To one who has never lived in Wash
ington, or who has only visited there
during the gay season, it is regarded as
the brightest. happiest, most delightful
place on earth, writes a Kentucky wo-
man in the Louisville COurier-Journdk.
OFF here in Kentucky MANY young girl
whose homely life seems monotonous
thinks could she only get a foothold
there how happy she would be. To
such and to all women who are thirst
ing after office. would love to give a
word of counsel. 1t is true that Wash
ington is one of the most beautiful cities
IN the world. Its grand and graceful
buildings, its wide avenues, its beautiful
parks, its exquisitely kept walks. the
Dest system of street-cars in the country,
the constant change as one rides or
walks, make it lovely dwelling place
and the best place to educate the eye 1
have ever seen or read of, but there is
dark side of life there that is little known
or thought of by those who have never
been there, and to one whose heart is
alive with sympathy for humanity. and
especially for working women, it brings
heartaches and real sorrow.
1t is a city overcrowded with those
seeking work, young and old. men and
women, all waiting, striving, hoping,
many for the same place-a place that
only one can fill. / have seen women
with little children thus wait have
now one in my memory-a widow with
child. She had been promised a
place long months before. When L
saw her something had occurred to re-
new her hope. She was bright and
hopeful. though personally frail-look-
ing-hungry-looking, 1 may truly say.
She was poorly-clad-the first time i
saw her-One of the bitterest days of
winter, with clothing so scant as to
make one pity the fraii body it covered.
Time passed on; from week to week she
grew more importunate: the efforts
made for her, earnestly and faithfully,
bore no fruit; hope seemed TO die from
her heart, and she grew more weary.
hungry, sorrOwful-looking, and when 1
saw her last she reminded me of the
figure in the Court of Death" that rep
resents hunger and want
Another l remember, too-a middle
aged. unmarried woman-a woman of
the best blood in Kentucky. Were to
give her name it would be recognized
us belonging TO a family, true and de-
voted Democrats, earnest and faithful
citizens, and Il few short years ago pros
porous and well-to-do people. In the
wreck of the past all that was left her
and Il widowed mother was 4 home
stead. 1t was SO Shorn of the acres that
had belonged to it that it yielded no
support. Having faith in herself and
her earnest purpose to support herself
and help that aged mother, she went to
Washington with the strongest backing
a woman could have. Before the meet
ing of congress efforts were made for
her, and these were repeated with zeal
by warm friends. Finally, after many
weeks, little place was promised. She
was happy beyond expression. Months
passed during which these efforts were
constantly renewed, until finally, after
four months, during which time this
brave woman had become almost wild,
u pitiful place in the printing bureau was
given her, where work was to be paid by
the piece. From her own lips heard
the result of it To get to her place of
work she had to walk either seventeen
or twenty-seven squares, or save few
squares by riding on the street-cars,
and that cost her to go and come 80
cents per day. When she reached her
place of work. up steep flights of steps
she climbed amid odors that turned her
deathly sick before she. fairly got to
work. Then, work as best she could,
some days her earnings amounted to so
or 80 cents, often only 80 cents, and
this working from a. m. sharp to p.
m. for no minute can be lost. Nine
o'clock is the hour, and one who is
tardy.a few times is reprimanded. and
most likely dismissed. In few weeks
this woman was taken i'll, and had a
serious sickness, but her will was
stronger than her health, and her
necessity great, and before fully re-
covered she went back. After little
while, in few days, if remember
right, she had to give up, and that was
the end of her life as an officeholder,
though her friends, who were true as
steel, tried faithfully to get her little
place in a more healthful office, but they
failed, and she is now, think, back in
Kentucky.